Such a cute concept with spaces being utilized throughout the area. Think of the gum alley in…read moredowntown SLO town or Seattle. Here in downtown Riverside, you have Mariposa Alley (Butterflies). During lunch we were trying to figure out what was around the area that was worth checking out. This popped up and was a 2 minute walk away. Just around the corner from Main Street next to a parking structure. It's a small little alley way that house all the fun cute butterflies hanging off the wall. The same concept as Collette Miller with the famous Angel wings scattered all over the place. One side of the wall is a massive mural of butterflies and flowers while the opposite side are butterflies. All different sizes and shapes hanging off the wall. You have the colorful wings lower down for that perfect photo op as well as smaller one hanging off the wall. A cute little walkway that's hidden off the Main Street. It's tucked in between the parking structure and city hall. A fun photo spot that's well maintained and clean. Alleyway was not messy one bit and in pretty good shape and clean.

A literally breath of fresh air in the middle of the city. While in town this week I decided to…read morewalk the city instead of drive. Lucky for me I found not only this beautiful alley, but so much more. There are many photo ops here and if you have someone with you even more shots possible. The alley is clean and easily accessible. Smack dab in the middle of downtown surrounded by shops and restaurants. A great stop if you love street art, butterflies or looking for something free and fun to do!

Located adjacent to building of The Cheech and the Riverside Art Museum, this Chinese Pavilion was…read morebuilt in 1985-1986 to honor the many Chinese settlers who came to Riverside in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The settlers played a major role in the development of agriculture, transportation, and commerce in Riverside and the surrounding areas. The landscaping around the small pavillion is well kept by the city. However, the lettering on the structure has faded, the orange and red paint is peeling, and the structure has dings that need to be fixed. It is presently closed to the public and is only open for specific events. 5 stars for this Chinese Memorial Pavillion, an important piece of California history.

According to www.roadtrippers.com. the Chinese Pavilion was "built in 1985-86 and stands in front…read moreof the Riverside Central Library, at the corner of Mission Inn Avenue and Orange Street. It was built in honor of the Chinese settlers who came to Riverside in the late 19th and early 20th centuries." The Pavilion is located within a downtown Riverside area that housed a cluster of Chinese businesses that constituted Riverside's "first" Chinatown. My family was visiting the Mission Inn and we noticed the colorful Pavilion and walked across the street to check it out. I also noticed several city of Riverside park employees tiding up the area, which is kept very clean. The lush grassy lawn right next to the Chinese memorial is beautiful. Unfortunately, the Chinese Pavilion has become hangout central for many of Riverside's homeless population. These shelter-challenged individuals used to flop out on the Pavilion and lay around on the benches that surround it. So now there is a sign that specifically states no trespassing on the memorial and cites a city law forbidding access, except for specific occasions. The Pavilion was cooperatively funded by the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the City of Riverside, and the Chinese Pavilion Committee, a local non-profit organization that raised local matching donations. The nearby University of California, Riverside, also looks after the memorial and Asian professors have done lots of research on the Chinese emigrant experience. Just because so many Chinese people were an important part of building the state of California, I give Riverside's Chinese Pavilion 5 YELP STARS for honoring their often over-looked contributions. The Chinese Pavilion in downtown Riverside is a vivid memorial to the many Chinese who once lived and worked in the area.

I contacted Carissa with a very generic idea of what I wanted and she was so receptive and kind. I…read moregave her an idea of the floral design I wanted on the side of my Little Free Library and she provided a proof. She met me within my budget, did what she said she would do, and produced absolutely stunning artwork. She knew the correct products to use for this outdoor project and really cared about making sure it would last. I would recommend her over and over again! Carissa is the kind of person you WANT to work with: communicative, friendly, and incredibly talented.

We couldn't be happier with the mural painted in our hallway! From the very beginning, [Artist's…read moreName] took the time to truly understand our vision -- and then went above and beyond to bring it to life. Her creativity, attention to detail, and professionalism were exceptional every step of the way. If you're looking for someone who will not only meet your expectations but exceed them, Carrisa is the one. Her talent speaks for itself, and her passion for her craft truly shines through.

Classic Italian restaurant in the heart of Downtown Riverside. Came here to celebrate my wife's…read morebirthday and it didn't disappoint! We got a few specials that weren't on the menu: lobster bisque soup and clam pizza, as well as a mushroom risotto dish. All of the dishes were amazing and the highlight was the clam pizza for me. The cheese and clams were perfect and the seasoning was great. The risotto was really good as well, with strong mushrooms and cheese flavor. You also get complimentary bread and butter! The food was really good, the dishes came out to about $30 each which isn't too bad for an upscale Italian restaurant. Service was outstanding throughout! The staff took really good care of us and checked in on us often. Restaurant was clean with a classic Italian feel, nice decor and a good ambiance. Will definitely be back to try more dishes!

It's been about 8 years since I last dined at Mario's. I remember it being a lovely Italian…read morerestaurant in downtown Riverside with amazing bread. The interior is totally what one expects an Italian restaurant to look like. Upon arrival, the restaurant is as authentic and traditional as the last time I was here. It was about half full on a Friday night but bustling and busy. Our server was a bit slow throughout our entire meal and even told us they were getting over a cold (not something one wants to hear from the person breathing on and touching our food and drinks). We had the calamari fritti and yellowtail to share. Our table also got the diavola pizza, spaghetti bolognese, a couple orders of the mushroom ravioli that came with a runny egg, and sides of fingerling potatoes and broccolini. The food is as delicious as I remembered. Service was a bit off this particular night, but overall it was a good experience.

The pizza is really great! The people who work there are the best. It's a great Italian pizzeria /…read morerestaurant. Nice comfortable kind of place. And now they have KARAOKE (And no cover) Monday 7 PM to 9 PM

Cliff, the owner. I just wanna point out that I never got aggressive, nor raised my voice. There…read morewas actually another patron that walked in prior to my leaving and being told that too bad my cinnamon knots weren't cooked tough luck. I would just have to wait. I guess it's OK that your employees used words like fuck very loudly and talked about having sexual relations with one of their friends mothers All the while just making my food when I got there which was 20 minutes after I ordered it had to wait an additional 20 minutes so a total of 40 minutes and did not receive my full order even though I paid for it she asked if I wanted a refund and I said no keep it and please Let the owner know that the workers should be doing a better job. If that is aggressive, my apologies. It is never my intention to make someone cry. However, you state you've acknowledged my situation and I don't believe you have it seems that you condone this type of verbiage in your place of business and I can assure you it will affect your business long-term been in business myself for 26 years and I have never treated a customer or client the way I was treated that day Good luck to you

Not sure why more cities don't have businesses like this. The tour started at a convenient location…read morenext to the mission inn. We received a little history on the location and we were off to our first food stop. We had a nice small size portion and chatted a bit with a great fun group. We had a few more stops and between the walking to each stop and the portion size it was the perfect amount. The highlight was the mixology class at the Lobby bar. It was great to learn about the city I've lived in, but haven't paid attention to the little details. Plus how else would I try 4 different places over a long brunch?

Took the tour and had a great afternoon with my wife walking around downtown Riverside. We learned…read morea lot about the history and had some great food and drinks at several establishments. Great variety. Out tour guide Jennifer was very knowledgeable and fun to be with. Definitely worth your time to take this tour.

Saturday night we randomly stopped by Papa Joe's Pizzeria in Riverside to watch some friends do…read morekaraoke, and I have to say... this cozy little spot completely surprised me in the best way. It's such a humble, warm neighborhood place, but the food? Truly a 10/10 comfort food moment. The pizza was so flavorful -- we ordered half pepperoni and half Hawaiian/cheese and every slice was amazing. The wings and potato wedges were delicious too, and I have to mention their house 1000 island, ranch, and even the ketchup... everything tasted so fresh and good. The atmosphere was honestly the cutest. There were regulars hanging out, people jumping up to sing karaoke, and a little arcade inside that made it feel like the perfect casual game-night spot. It's the kind of place where you can grab pizza to go for a movie night at home, or stay, have a few beers, and just enjoy the vibe. They also have 5 beers for $15, which you really can't beat. Elie took such great care of us and made us feel so welcome. He was incredibly friendly and thoughtful and even surprised me with a complimentary homemade brownie, which was another 10/10. Such a sweet touch. Even the DJ running karaoke was super professional, which made the whole night feel extra fun and lively. It's rare to find a place that feels this genuine and welcoming while also serving food that's this good. I'll definitely be back for the pizza again very soon. Highly recommend stopping by -- even if it's just to grab a pizza to go for a cozy movie night at home.

I ordered a pizza online. Went to pick it up. It hadn't even been prepared. OK. I'll wait…read more Finally went home with my pizza. Well, it was tasty. It had too much salt on one side of the pizza. Very salty. But I still ate. Here we are the day after. I got food poisoning. Really bad. I've been in bed all day Saturday. I think the black olives may have been bad. The establishment should stay on top of the expiration date of their product. Or, wear gloves while handling the food While It was tasty. Something was not right on that pizza.

The Gandhi Memorial located in Downtown Riverside is a strong statement of peace among this…read moreturbulent world. Marbled steps with encouraging quotes leaves a refreshing empowerment. Dedicated on October 9, 2005 by Mahatma Gandhi's grandson Rajmohan Gandhi and Riverside mayor Ronald O. Loveridge. Fun facts: The statue was created by artists Mandan and Aruna Garge of India. Lalit Acharya has worked to bring a statue of Mahatma Gandhi to Riverside. The memorial will honor the man who emphasized nonviolent means of civil disobedience. Depicting his life showcasing his values and guiding principles.

My grandkids love it here, and honestly, that's what matters most to me…read more This restaurant has been around for over 25 years, and it's filled with memories for our family. I remember bringing my own children here when they were young, and now I get to continue that tradition with my grandchildren. No, it's not high-end Italian dining, and it doesn't try to be. What it does offer is a family-friendly atmosphere, comforting food, and a place where kids are genuinely excited to visit. My grandkids love the butter pasta just as much as I do, and it's always a guaranteed win when we dine here. We recently stopped by after their school recital, and they were absolutely thrilled when we were seated in the trolley. Their excitement alone made the visit memorable. The staff was friendly and welcoming, service was prompt, this location tends to be quieter than many family restaurants, which made it easy to relax and enjoy our meal. For me, this place isn't just about the food it's about the memories and the spumoni ice cream . Watching my grandchildren enjoy the same restaurant that my children loved years ago is something I treasure. We'll definitely continue coming back for years to come

We used to come here (specifically to the Trolley Square location in Salt Lake City, Utah) all the…read moretime with my great grandma. It was always for special occasions and it holds a special place in my heart. My husband and I came with a large party and I was pretty excited. I felt bad for our server because he seemed to be very young and even new. Despite all that, he was great and organized and did well with handling so many different tickets and orders. I got the cotton candy limeade and I kinda wish it was a taller glass because it was SO good! I don't know what cotton candy brand they use but, it tasted like gourmet cotton candy and it was just perfect! We also got the Sicilian Garlic Cheese Bread as an appetizer and that was super yummy too. My husband lived in Italy for 2yrs and so he grew up having authentic Italian food, meaning he's HARD to please. And he really liked the bread! He got the Lasagna and also enjoyed that, but he's used to the Italian version where they use a cream sauce rather than the crumbly cheese. I got the Tuscan Chicken and that was an absolute perfect combo of fettuccine flavors with a wonderful sauce my father-in-law makes from Italy and it was SO good!! It could've used a little more chicken but overall, super yummy.

Great spot. Ambience is spot on…read more Ample parking. Only tried the teramasu and spumoni, both were great, several times.

After a long drought, we met up here again with friends, for dinner. This time we began with Fried…read moreMozzarella wedges that were dark and a bit burnt but oozing with cheese. And, I followed up this shared app with a Bowl of Minestrone Soup and a Half Caesar Salad. The soup contained tortellini, and the salad consisted of Romaine Lettuce leaves, croutons, and Creamy Caesar Dressing. Requested Parmesan shavings were provided in powdered form. My Half Eggplant Parmigiana with Marinara Sauce was quite hot, very good, and hopefully healthier than other choices. Diane had a Half Gnocchi with Alfredo Sauce, and our table mates each ordered a Half Spaghetti with Meat Sauce. As one might guess with everyone in my party selecting half orders, food portions are quite large here. Service by our waitress Karla Ya was responsive and very good.